Injury Aftermath: Wild-Card Round

Thanks to staff writer Zach Binney's analysis of NFL injury data, we are now able to provide more detailed injury return (number of games missed) and recovery (number of weeks limited in practices or games) estimates based on historical data for select injuries. These estimates also consider the position of the injured player. Details of our methodology are available here[1].

Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday, 4:35 p.m. EST)

The Falcons appeared to suffer no new significant injuries in their wild-card victory in Los Angeles. Quarterback Matt Ryan[2] was treated after suffering a cut to the back of his head, but the injury is not considered serious. All of the other Falcons players who appeared on the injury report appeared to emerge unscathed.

Eagles defensive lineman Brandon Graham[3] sat out of the team's Week 17 loss to Dallas, but is expected to play against the Falcons. Every other player on the current 53-man roster is expected to be available to play.

Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots (Saturday, 8:15 p.m. EST)

Titans halfback DeMarco Murray[4] is still considered day-to-day with a knee ligament sprain ahead of the team's trip to Massachusetts. Murray missed both Week 17 and the wild-card victory over the Chiefs, and Derrick Henry[5] excelled in his absence. If Murray is unable to return, Henry will again be the Titans' primary -- and effectively lone -- running back.

The status of the injured Patriots players is, as usual, unclear. Three of the team's top four running backs, in one of the deepest backfield depth charts in the league, are currently hurt: Rex Burkhead[6] and Mike Gillislee[7] are battling knee injuries, while James White[8] has an injured ankle. Dion Lewis[9] has excelled as the primary back, and it is likely that two of the other three will be healthy enough to suit up against the Titans. Receiver Chris Hogan[10] is still recovering from the significant shoulder injury that caused him to miss most of the second half of the regular season, while fellow receiver Malcolm Mitchell[11] has returned to practice after a knee injury cost him the entire regular season. One or the other may be able to play on Saturday night, but it would be a surprise to see both.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun, 1:05 p.m. EST)

Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny[12], an important veteran stalwart in this young Jaguars defense, suffered a hip injury against the Bills and did not return. Fortunately, hip injuries usually are not too severe; just a quarter of those injuries keep linebackers out for a full game. The odds favor Posluszny to be available next week, although the fact that he was unable to return to Sunday's game raises some concerns. Typical recovery times are one to two weeks, so there is hope that he will be fully healthy if the Jaguars can get past the Steelers. Receiver and punt returner Jaydon Mickens injured his hamstring and did not return. As we have mentioned here before, hamstring injury recovery profiles depend on severity. About 50 percent of hamstring injuries to wide receivers cause them to miss at least one game, so pending additional information Mickens may be a coin flip for next week's game. Typical recovery times are one to four weeks; it is difficult to project Mickens' status beyond next week at this time.

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown[13] caused a panic when he suffered a calf injury late in the regular season, but after rest and rehabilitation Brown is expected to be fully fit and unhindered by the injury this coming Sunday. He is the only current injury concern for the well-rested Steelers.

New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (Sunday, 4:40 p.m. EST)

An often-banged-up Saints offensive line suffered a major blow against the Panthers when left guard Andrus Peat[14] was lost for the season with a fractured leg[15] and associated high-ankle injury. A key player on the offensive line, Peat has started regularly at both left guard and left tackle as preferred tackle Terron Armstead[16] dropped into and out of the lineup with injuries of his own. Backup Senio Kelemete[17], who filled in at left guard when Peat was moved to left tackle, will now start in his stead. Peat marks the sixth starter the Saints have lost during the season, following defensive end Alex Okafor[18]; linebackers A.J. Klein[19] and Alex Anzalone[20]; safety/moneybacker Kenny Vaccaro[21]; and tight end Coby Fleener[22] to injured reserve (would-be starting defensive tackle Nick Fairley[23] was also lost for the year in preseason due to a heart problem). The good news is that the remainder of the existing roster is healthy: cornerback P.J. Williams[24] and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel[25] were treated on the sideline during the game, but both were able to return.

The Vikings are perhaps the best demonstration of the value of a playoff bye. Rookie center Pat Elflein[26] -- our pick at the position on the Scramble All-Rookie Team[27] -- missed the last two weeks of the regular season to injury, but has returned to practice and is expected to play this weekend. Quarterback Sam Bradford[28], who was placed on injured reserve with a tibial plateau bone bruise early in the season, has also returned to practice, though he is not expected to be activated for Sunday's game. Long snapper Kevin McDermott dislocated his shoulder in Week 16, and had surgery this week; John Overbaugh will snap on special teams in his stead. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes[29] missed some practice time last week with an undisclosed injury -- injury reports are not due until this week -- while tight end Kyle Rudolph[30] should be back close to full strength after playing through an ankle injury late in the regular season. Neither player is expected to miss Sunday's game, however; despite regular-season bumps and bruises, all 53 active players are expected to be available for selection.

Concussions

The NFL is reportedly investigating[31] whether the Carolina Panthers followed the correct protocol when quarterback Cam Newton[32] temporarily left the game during the fourth quarter of Sunday's defeat in New Orleans. Newton appeared to demonstrate symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury, but was cleared to return to the field -- reportedly without being subject to the required locker room concussion evaluation. This evaluation was mandated in the new guidelines issued to teams late in the regular season, following a similar investigation into the Texans' handling of quarterback Tom Savage[33]. Though Newton has since claimed that the problem was his eye, not a concussion, the players are quite simply not given the power to make that determination, and the protocol mandates that any player who is visibly unsteady on his feet be evaluated in the locker room by the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. The league is investigating whether the Panthers followed those guidelines, though it is not yet clear what discipline is available if Newton's assessment was not handled correctly.

The Seattle Seahawks have already been fined $100,000 for mishandling a brain injury to their quarterback, Russell Wilson[34], during the regular season. The Tom Savage[33] incident prompted modification of the evaluation protocol, coming shortly after the Colts were also heavily criticized for their handling of an apparent concussion inflicted on quarterback Jacoby Brissett[35]. Criticism has been levelled at the handling of other players too, but the spotlight always shines brightest where the quarterback stands. It certainly appears that teams still view the incentive -- getting the starting quarterback back on the field quickly -- to outweigh any potential disincentive the league might toss their way.

By contrast, Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor[36] also appeared to suffer concussion symptoms in the fourth quarter of his team's game against the Jaguars. Despite the narrow deficit, Taylor was correctly removed from the field and did not return to the game. Likewise, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce[37] did not return after suffering a very obvious concussion against the Tennessee Titans.